The Energy Star Symbol
The Energy Star label indicates that an appliance or electronic equipment meets certain criteria for being energy efficient. The symbol was introduced by the EPA in 1992 to provide consumers with information to help them choose appliances and electronics that are more efficient and produce fewer greenhouse gases than their traditional counterparts.
What started with just a few pieces of equipment grew, and by 1995 the labeling was expanded to include other office equipment and residential heating and cooling equipment. In 1996, the DOE jumped onboard and began working with the EPA. The label now appears on more than 35 different kinds of products.
The EPA estimates that approximately 17 percent of the nation's green-house gases are produced by the estimated 100 million households in the United States. The Energy Star label means that the appliances were rated objectively, and the label itself includes information on the cost savings for different appliances.
Many higher-efficiency home appliances may be more expensive than less efficient ones, so consider what the savings will be over the life of the appliance when you look at the up-front cost.
Electronics can still drain energy when they are turned off. On average, 40 percent of residential electricity goes to electronic products that are switched off, according to Energy Star. One easy way to eliminate this waste is to unplug electronics when you aren't using them.
Energy Star Homes
When energy savings are achieved throughout the house, the entire building can qualify for the Energy Star label. The EPA has published guidelines for a variety of different types of homes, including single-family and multifamily (duplexes and apartments) units; even modular or log homes can qualify.
The EPA lists the criteria needed to achieve Energy Star status, such as effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and the use of Energy Star lighting and appliances. In order to complete the certification process, a licensed third party must verify that these standards have been met.
The construction of Energy Star homes or the remodeling of older homes to meet Energy Star guidelines has increased as more contractors become familiar with the objectives. Almost 150,000 new single-family Energy Star homes were built in 2005; that accounts for nearly 10 percent of all new homes built. Owners of Energy Star homes know they are helping conserve natural resources by using less electricity and producing less carbon dioxide.
Energy Audits
Audits can be performed by private companies, electric utilities, or online with homeowners entering household information. A good audit will provide a homeowner with a detailed plan for possible improvements, cost estimates for those improvements, and savings estimates for the improvements over time. Some local utilities offer rebates and incentives for making energy-efficient improvements. It may be necessary to include an official audit with the rebate paperwork.
